Toronto | Traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – As MPPs prepare to reconvene in the legislature, a wave of concerned Ontarians are mobilizing to oppose further removals of land from the Greenbelt. Despite mounting evidence that we have more than enough land to build housing without removing land from the Greenbelt, Premier Doug Ford continues to resist calls to reverse the environmentally disastrous $8.3 billion attack on Greenbelt lands.
Growing public awareness around the corrupt process behind Greenbelt removals has led to 69% of Ontarians expressing outrage, prompting a surge in community level action. Upcoming rallies across Ontario will demand the immediate return of lands to the Greenbelt, including those within the ecologically fragile Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve adjacent to Rouge National Urban Park, and to take the actions necessary to build affordable homes in Ontario where municipalities have already identified land for building.
A full list of rallies is provided below. Interviews can be arranged with local event leaders upon request.
What: A series of “Hands Off The Greenbelt” rallies across the province, including Housing Minister Paul Calandra’s office.
Where: A map of all events, with additional information about each event, is available here: https://environmentaldefence.ca/handsoffthegreenbelt/
When: September 23rd – October 1st. Exact times and dates vary by location.
Saturday, Sept 23
Oakville – Glenashton Park, 1051 Glenashton Dr, Oakville – 12 PM
“GASP is holding this rally as we believe that Stephen Crawford’s constituents expect accountability and want to know why he supported the Greenbelt takeout when the government’s own Housing Affordability Task force determined there is more than enough land available to accommodate future housing. GASP believes this is a betrayal of the public’s trust and is calling on MPP Crawford, as our elected representative, to stand up and speak to Premier Ford and the cabinet and let them know he supports making the Greenbelt whole again. Million-dollar homes on precious farmland will not solve the housing affordability crisis.” – Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet
Organized by Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet.
Media contact: Marilyn Ortwein
Saturday, Sept. 23
Richmond Hill – 1300 Elgin Mills Rd E, Richmond Hill, ON, L4S 1M5 – 1 PM
“New residential development in the Greenbelt is wholly unnecessary, environmentally damaging, and utterly unrelated to solving the undeniable housing crisis.” – Howard Doughty, Professor at Seneca College
Organized by Liveable Richmond Hill.
Media contact: Priya Unnikrishnan
For more information: https://fb.me/e/L9BVmIlb
Saturday, Sept. 23
Scarborough – Gus Harris Trail parking lot, entrance off of Pharmacy Ave
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Speeches
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Group walk towards Danforth Ave
“The Greenbelt is critical infrastructure – like roads and buildings – that we all benefit from, and once it’s gone we can’t get it back. Let’s build lots of homes AND leave the Greenbelt alone, we don’t have to choose.” – Tierney Smith, Scarborough Southwest Environmental Group
Organized by Scarborough Southwest Environmental Group.
Media contact: Misha Perozak
For more information, email scarboroughsweg@gmail.com
Sunday, Oct. 1
Stouffville – Housing Minister Paul Calandra’s Office. 37 Sandiford Dr., Main St. and Sandiford, Stouffville – 2PM.
Environmental Defence experts available for on-site and virtual interviews.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Daniella Zanchi, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
